|
|
May 30, 2003/Iyar 28 5763, Vol. 55, No. 40
Saudi terrorists come home to roost
JOSEPH AARON
Chicago Jewish News
Yes, I mourn the loss of all innocent human life.
But, yes, I do admit a sense of satisfaction at hearing the news of the terrorist bombings in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia may very well be the most odious nation on the face of the earth. The most radical form of Islam is given free reign there, inculcating youth with the most extreme version of their religion.
But, worst of all, the Saudi government has not only tolerated terrorism and terrorists, but also has funded to the tune of billions - that's billions - of dollars to those who would go out and kill innocent human beings.
Osama bin Laden is Saudi. Fifteen of the 19 Sept. 11 hijackers were Saudi. Saudi money keeps terrorist groups in business and builds schools that teach their distorted form of Islam around the world, including the United States.
And so, yes, I took satisfaction at Saudi Arabia being the target of terrorists when bombs were set off in an upscale residential compound in the capital city of Riyadh.
As I have long said about intolerant Jews, there is no limit once you decide you know who's a good Jew and who's not. First, you dismiss those completely unlike you, then those somewhat unlike you, and then everyone who isn't you.
So it is with terrorism. Start by thinking you know who deserves to be the victim of terrorism and inevitably, you, too, will suffer.
As with so much in life, you never really understand something until you yourself experience it.
Saudi Arabia has never even tried to understand - until some Saudis were blown to pieces.
I found the Saudi reaction to the bombing of that apartment complex in Riyadh absolutely fascinating. They were shocked by it all, as if it was the first time it had ever happened anywhere to anyone.
The Saudis didn't seem to be too upset when 3,000 innocent Americans were killed in the World Trade Center - by 15 Saudis.
Even worse, the Saudis have not apologized to us, and even have said it wasn't Saudis who did it, but the Mossad.
And while the Saudis found it unbelievable that terrorists could go after innocent people sitting at home in their nice apartments, they not once have expressed similar feelings as day after day for three years, innocent Israelis have been killed.
But have one terrorist incident against a Saudi apartment complex and all of a sudden, you have Saudis all over the place talking about the inhumanity of terrorism.
It all made me sick. For starters, please note that the terrorists who did the bombing in Saudi Arabia were themselves Saudi. Beyond that, note that the Saudis received warnings from the United States that this apartment complex appeared to be a prime target. The Saudis did nothing.
And so now, they know how it feels, which, in theory, could be a good thing. Let us hope that now experiencing first hand what terrorism is, the Saudis will reflect, reconsider and change. But the truth is we all know that ain't going to happen. Not after one time.
Indeed, just days after the terrorism in Saudi Arabia, many Saudis were already saying that those who were killed deserved it. Why? Because most of the Saudis who live in the apartment complex are married to foreign women or have spent some years abroad and live like Westerners. As the New York Times put it, "Women could move around unveiled."
More than enough justification for those who conducted the terrorist attack.
First, the targets were Jews and Israelis. And then Americans. And now, Saudis who marry foreign women and let their wives walk around unveiled. As one Saudi put it, "those people were befriending the infidels.''
So much for my sense of satisfaction.
Joseph Aaron is publisher and editor of Chicago Jewish News. Contact him at (847) 966-0606.
|
